Skeleton structure



P. A. DIETZ. SKELETON STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 25, I919.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

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SKELETON STRUCTURE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 25, 1919.

Patented Dec-.14,1920.'

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2 4 g 9 flu n i I IIIv Ili f mu 4 oz UNITED STATEMS PAUL A. DIETZ, OF FORT WORTH, TEXAS.

SKELETON STRUCTURE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 14, 1920.

App1ication filed October 25, 1919. Serial No. 333,293.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PAUL A. Draw, a citizen of the United States, residing at Fort Worth, in the county of Tarrant and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Skeleton Structures, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention pertains to skeleton structures.

The object of the invention is to provide a convertible structure which may be used to form a live stock shelter or other inclosure; or as a hay rack; or as a grain bin or the like.

In carrying out the invention a plurality of vertical posts are suitably mounted and held upright. A horizontal frame is adjustably supported on the posts so as to be fastened at different elevations. J oists are inclined from a central support which is also vertically adjustable and these joists have their lower ends resting on the frame. One of the features is that the frame, joists and posts may be disassembled and reassembled in a different shape either by using the same parts or by adding additional parts. 7

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which examples of the invention are shown, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a rectangular structure, 7

Fig. 2 is an elevation of the same, showing the frame and joists lowered, in dotted lines, to form a hay rack,

Fig. 8' is adetail of the joist socket,

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the same,

Fig. 5 is a plan view of one of the frame supporting collars,

Fig. 6 is a vertical cross section showing the structure as used in a grain bin,

Fig. 7 is a partial plan view of the parts converted into a hexagonal structure,

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the supporting collars,

Fig. 9 is a sectional detail showing the manner of supporting the adjustable collars,

Fig. 10 isa side elevation of the inner post, showing a different form of adjustable connecting means between it and the upper bar Fig. 11 is a horizontal section through one of the outer or corner posts, showing in elegation the adjustable attaching means, an

Fig. 12 is an inner elevation of the same, with the bars removed.

In the drawings the numeral 10 designates an upright post, several of which are employed. Some of the posts are higher than the others and these are indicated by the numeral 10. Each post rests on a disk or circular plate 11 which may be of wood, concrete or other suitable material. An iron rod 12 is driven into the ground and projects up through the center of the plate. The rod in each case projects above the plate and is received in a socket 13 in the center of the bottom of the post. The posts are thus supported above the ground and protected against decay and are held against displacement.

On each post 10 a vertically adjustable collar 14 is mounted. Each collar 14 has an outwardly directed annular flange 15. In Figs. 1, '2 and 6 the posts lO are provided with adjustable collars 14, each having an outwardly directed annular flange 15". In Fig. 7 a different style of collar 14* is vertically adjustable on the post 10.

Each post has a series of holes 16 near its upper end and a second series 17 near its lower end, the corresponding series of holes of the posts 10 being at a higher elevation than those of the'posts 10.

A horizontal frame formed of beams or rails 18 is mounted on the posts 10. The beams have their ends resting on the flanges 15 against the collar 14. The end of one beam overlaps the end of the other beam as is shown in Fig. 5. Each beam has a hook 19 which is engaged in an eye 20 on the collar. The collars are supported on pins 21 inserted in the holes 16 under the flanges. It. is obvious that the collars may be raised or lowered and the pins inserted accordingly, thus changing the elevation of the frame. V

A ridge timber 22 has its ends resting on the flanges 15 of the collars 14 and secured thereto by hooks 23 engaging eyes 24 (Fig. 8) on each side of the collars. The collars 14: may be adjusted vertically like the collars 14 Along each side of the ridge timber sockets 25 I are disposed in suitable spaced order. These sockets receive heads 26 fastened on the upper ends of joists 27 The heads are T-shaped in cross section so as to fit into the sockets, but to be readily re,

, include turn-buckles 80. It is obvious that the skeleton structure may be used advantageously in many ways. For instance. by covering the joists in any suitable way to form a roof, a livestock shelter or canopy is had; sides and ends may be added if de sired and a complete building had. By removing the pins 21 and lowering the collars 14L and let to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, the frame and joists are lowered. Thisarrangement provides an excellent hay rack and the hay stacked on the lowered joists is supported above the ground, permitting a free circulation of air thereunder. A foraminous ventilating column 31 may be placed along the ridge timber and the hay stacked therearound and ventilated. Curing under these conditions would be superior.

It will be seen that the beams, posts and the ridge timbers may be easily disassembled and ridge timbers and beams of different lengths used to build structures of different sizes.

In Fig. 7 I have shown a structure exhibiting an octagonal shape in plan, the same parts being used except the ridge timber and more beams being added. A central pole 10 is employed and sockets 25 similar to the sockets 25 are provided on the collar lt for receivingthe heads 26; Other shapes could be made. and various kinds of shelters formed.

In Fig. 6 I have shown a grain bin structure in which two sets of frames and joists are used, one, forming the floor support and the other the roof support. Foraminous material, such as screen, is used to form a floor 4O and'sides 4:1. The central column 31 is used and additional foraminous columns 42 are mounted on the floor and extend tofthe roof joistsv 27. These columns 42 may assume any suitable cross-sectional shape and may be made in any suitablemannerl By placingthem between the sides 41 and the centrahcolumn the grain will be thoroughly ventilated by the air which will enter through the: floor 40. Grain or roots may be stored in this structure. A suitable roof (notshown) is placed on, the upper joists. 1

' It. is obvious that the frame timbers 22 could. be supportedin various ways, and the collars, and holes eliminated. In. Figs. 10,

on the posts, each plate having sockets 51 at different elevations, said sockets being similar to the sockets 25. The timbers 22 have T-shaped heads 52 at each end engaging in sockets on the posts 10. It will be seen that the timbers are vertically adjustable and easily placed in position.

It is pointed out that the rods 12 hold the posts against lateral displacement, while the braces 28 hold the structure against'upward displacement and at the same time make it rigid and substantial. The flexibility of the structure will be readily appreciated and its many uses and advantages are obvious.

What I claim is:

1. In a skeleton building structure, a plurality of assembled upright posts, collars vertically adjustable upon the posts, and having laterally extending flanges, substantially horizontal beams arranged in contact with the collars and supported "by the flanges, detachable elements connecting the.

beams and collars, joists arranged at an incline and supported near their ends by the beams, an inner support, and sockets secured to the inner support, and heads carried by the joists and adapted for insertion within the sockets.

2. In a skeleton building structure, a plurality of assembled upright posts, collars vertically adjustable upon the posts and having laterally extending flanges,'substantially horizontal beams arranged in contact with the collars and supported by the flanges, detachable elements connecting the beams and collars, joists having their outer ends arranged upon and'supporte'd by the beams, an inner vertically adjustable support, and means for detachably connecting the inner ends of the joists with the inner support.

8. In a skeleton building structure, a plurality of outerupright posts arranged in suitable order, collars vertically adjustable upon the posts and having laterally extend.- ing flanges, substantially horizontal beams arranged in contact with the collars and supported by the flanges and forming an outer frame, detachable elements connecting the beams and collars, a plurality ofv inner upright posts, collar vertically adjustable upon the inner. posts and having laterally extending flanges, an inner horizontal beam supported, by the flanges of the last named collars, detachable elements connecting. the collars and last named beam, joists having their outer endsarranged upon the outer beams, a plurality of sockets carried by the inner beam, and a plurality of heads secured to the inner end of the joists and adapted for insertion within thersockets.

4:. In a skeleton building structure, a plurality of assembled upright posts, collars vertically adjustably mounted upon the posts and having laterally extending flanges, substantially horizontal beams arranged in contact with the collars and supported by the flanges, detachable elements connecting the beams and collars, joists having their outer ends supported by said beams, a plurality of inner upright'posts, an inner horizontal beam, vertically adjustable means for connecting the inner horizontal beam and the inner posts, and means for detachably connecting the inner ends of the joists with the inner horizontal beam.

5. In a skeleton building structure, a plurality of assembled outer upright posts, a plurality of horizontal beams extending about the posts and forming an outer frame, vertically adjustable means for detachably connecting the beams and the posts, a plurality of inner upright posts, an inner horizontal beam extending between the inner posts, vertically adjustable means for detachably connecting the inner beam and inner posts, a plurality of joists having their outer ends arranged upon and supported by the outer beams, a plurality of sockets carried by the inner beam, and a plurality of heads secured to the inner ends oi the joists and adapted for detachable engagement within the sockets.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

PAUL A. DIETZ. 

